Tipping Guidelines in Africa

Tipping Guidelines in Africa

While tipping in the form of gratuity is not mandatory when you visit African countries, it is suggested – and greatly appreciated – that you do so when you find the service satisfactory. Gratuity guidelines generally encourage tipping per guest, per day.

Regional Africa:

Guides and Butlers: $10 US per guest per day

Paddlers and Trackers: $5 US per guest per day

General hotel staff: $10 US per guest per day. Lodges and camps often have a central place to make your contribution so the gratuities can be distributed.

Transfer driver: $2 per guest per transfer

Porterage: $2 per guest per luggage haul

South Africa: ZAR (“Rand”)

Airport/Hotel Transfers: ZAR 20 per guest

Drivers and guides: ZAR 50 per guest for a half day, and ZAR 100 for a full day

Safari guides: ZAR 120 per guest, per day

Tracker: ZAR 80 per guest, per day

Hotel staff: ZAR 50 per guest, per day

When tipping at a restaurant following a meal, 10% is the minimal standard.

Extra pointer:

We recommend that you carry mostly small bills for not only tipping (US$1’s, $5’s, $10’s and $20’s), but also or the souvenir shopping in the villages.